What’s on in the North East in March 2023
The start of Spring promises to kickstart our cultural calendar – with everything from West End musicals and Eurovision heroes to international film festivals in the offing. Don’t miss a moment…
THEATRE
Lasagna
16th March
Durham Gala Theatre
With its run at Live Theatre now sold out, Durham is your next chance to catch this moving production as it tours the North East, having been a pandemic hit. Written by local legend Catrina McHugh of Open Clasp Theatre, Lasagna tells the real-life story of women who have lost children to the care system.
Tickets: from £12.00
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Disney’s The Lion King
16th March – 6th May
Sunderland Empire
We just can’t wait to catch this West End spectacular in the North East. Set against the majesty of the Serengeti, with 232 puppets featured in every performance, Disney’s multi-award winning musical is a theatrical experience you’ll never forget.
Tickets: from £20.00
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Titanic: the Musical
27th March – 1st April
Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne
In this theatre adaptation of the tragic love story, you’ll follow the voyage of the RMS Titanic in 1912 and the lives of those on board. Based on real people aboard the legendary ship, the musical revolves around the hopes and dreams of the passengers, from Third to First Class.
Tickets: from £15.00
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Eleanor McEvoy
4th March
Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
You may not have heard of Eleanor McEvoy, but it’s likely you’ll know at least some of her songs – not least if you’re a Derry Girls fan. She’s the writer and singer of one of the bestselling songs in Irish history and her live show is spellbinding.
Tickets: from £18.00
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Tom Grennan
14th March
Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Due to the demand from this up-and-coming superstar, Tom Grennan has had to move his Newcastle gig from the O2 City Hall to the Utilita Arena. See what all the fuss is about when the Little Bit of Love, Something in the Water and Don’t Break the Heart hitmaker takes the stage.
Tickets: from £30.50
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Sam Ryder
23rd March
O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
Eurovision hero Sam Ryder is embarking on his first of what we’re sure will be many tours of the UK – and Newcastle is on his hit list. Expect feverish falsetto, a set list that includes wall-to-wall bangers (both covers and originals), and killer vocals that’ll take you to outer space, man.
Tickets: from £65.00
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ART & EXHIBITIONS
Berwick Film & Media Festival
3rd – 5th March
Venues across Berwick-upon-Tweed
Recognising the most distinctive figures in moving image today, the Berwick Film & Media Festival will show seven world premieres, three international premieres, two European premieres and 19 UK festival premieres – all championing filmmakers who push boundaries, exceed expectations and challenge norms.
Tickets: from £55.00
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Lucia Nogueira: Smoke and Drawings
4th March – 7th May
The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Brazilian artist Lucia Nogueira specialised in sculptures, installations, video works and drawings. Her art often made references to the body and she explored the relationship between objects and language, drawing obsessively and creating surreal depictions of the world on paper.
Tickets: Free
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Mum’s the Word
19th March
The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
If your Mum’s the artistic type, a trip to The Bowes Museum will be the perfect plan for Mother’s Day. During a fascinating tour, you’ll discover paintings which reveal the role of mothers throughout centuries – from the privileged classes to peasants, strippers, saints and freedom fighters – in a real celebration of women in art.
Tickets: from £14.50
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Sara Pascoe
16th March
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle upon Tyne
Sara decided she wanted to be famous at 14 years old. Since then, she’s auditioned for Barrymore, scared Pete Burns and ruined Hugh Grant’s birthday… The star host of BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee is a Sunday Times bestseller and the proud owner of a multi-award winning podcast – now catch her live.
Tickets: from £16.00
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Susie McCabe
24th March
The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Following a runaway success at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Susie McCabe is back on the road with her new show, Femme Fatality. With razor-sharp punchlines she’s honed after supporting the likes of Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and Jason Manford on tour, expect a right good laugh.
Tickets: from £15.00
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Eshaan Akbar
25th March
Stockton ARC
Whether it’s you, the person you go on a date with, your boss, or the opinion-makers on TV, we’re all pretending we know what we’re doing. We don’t. And it’s about time we all had a proper laugh about it. Eshaan Akbar’s debut tour promises to be a cracker.
Tickets: from £17.50
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Holi: Festival of Colours
8th March
Stockton ARC
Holi, the Hindu festival of colours, marks the start of a new season and celebrates the victory of good over evil. There’ll be a whole spectrum of lights illuminating Stockton ARC, as well as live performances and dance. There’ll even be a free snack on arrival to welcome you into this family-friendly event.
Tickets: Free
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International Women’s Day 2023
11th – 12th March
Beamish Museum
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a themed trip to Beamish. There’ll be plenty of activities throughout the open-air museum to get involved with as you travel back in time and discover how the role of women changed from the 1820s to the 1950s.
Tickets: from £21.00
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St Patrick’s Weekender
17th – 18th March
Salt Market Social, North Shields
You all know the drill by now. With St Patrick’s Day coinciding with the last weekend of the Six Nations, it’s only right you make appropriate plans to wear your finest greenery and drink your annual quota of Guinness. Salt Market Social’s offering is among the best – with a street food selection to line your stomach for all-night partying.
Tickets: Free
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LGBTQ+ Speed Dates (25–40 years)
21st March
Pumphrey’s, Newcastle upon Tyne
If you’re looking for that someone special, why not meet a whole bunch of LGBTQ+ singles at this fun speed-dating event? Enjoy an evening of chats, laughs and zingy margaritas as you rate each person you talk to. If they like you back, you’ll be deemed a match and your contact details will be swapped the following day.
Tickets: from £8.99
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